Letter to the Editor of The Mainichi: Disability inclusion in Japan

From The Mainichi

June 27 2023

By Aylie Guyodo, The British School in Tokyo (Year 10)

Despite government commitments and legislation to facilitate disability inclusion in a country that has hosted the Paralympic Games three times, much remains to be done in the archipelago to promote a more inclusive society and reduce the gap between disabled and non-disabled people. Why don’t we see many disabled people in the workforce and in our everyday lives? The government recently estimated that some 7.6% of people in Japan have a disability, which works out at some 9.5 million people. According to a recent government survey, a staggering 88.5% of Japanese citizens acknowledge the persistence of discrimination and prejudice against disabled individuals. Public aid for people with disabilities often means that its beneficiaries stay at home, and individuals who have the desire to work and contribute to society often encounter a lack of support. This is a big loss for society. Over half of the companies in Japan have failed to meet the current legally required employment rate of 2.3%.

People with disabilities continue to be neglected and marginalised, with fewer educational opportunities, poorer health outcomes, lower levels of employment, and higher rates of poverty. Discrimination is pervasive. It harms, hurts, and creates prejudices. The COVID-19 pandemic has only made the situation worse, and the United Nations 2030 Agenda calls for no one to be left behind. As the world reopens, things must fundamentally change. 

A few months back, I sustained a severe injury that made me rely on a wheelchair for over four months. This tough situation and my journey of recovery broadened my perspective on attitudes and approaches to issues related to disability. Accessibility became a significant struggle for me. I lost my ability to participate in sports and even in everyday activities at school or at home that require walking. As a result, I withdrew from socialising with my friends and refrained from engaging in activities due to the difficulties of manoeuvring my wheelchair in busy environments. I chose to exclude myself from school trips, fearing that I would be an inconvenience to others. I constantly found myself needing to ask for accommodation, which left me with a painful feeling of being a burden. It became evident that our homes, schools, society, and the world at large are not inherently accessible, at least not without deliberate consideration or a request. It can feel as if this responsibility to bring about change to level the playing field and foster inclusion falls on individuals with disabilities. We all deserve to lead fulfilling lives without limitations or social barriers, with equal opportunities to pursue our dreams and aspirations. It is, therefore, imperative for society to adapt and accommodate people with disabilities, rather than placing the burden on them to adapt to society. 

The experience I went through was for a limited period, but it provided me with a small glimpse of the reality faced by disabled individuals, a reality that is far more overwhelming and permanent for them. It prompted me to reflect on the need for compassion, inclusion, and the transformative power of human kindness in our society today.

It is my hope to see a growing awareness among individuals, where they truly acknowledge the experiences and obstacles faced by those with disabilities, and begin to question whether they are being treated fairly and equally. As a community, we should be proud of our diversity and ashamed of the social barriers we permit that have suppressed these individuals. It is time for both the public and private sectors to form a coalition to take action in favour of the autonomy and quality of life of individuals with disabilities, and ensure genuinely equal opportunities and a truly inclusive environment in which all can thrive.